ST and winter driving

I am new to this forum, but I have been a Ford enthusiast for many years, particularly with Mustangs. I am a forum admin on Mustang forum. I have owned a 98 GT and I currently have supercharged/intercooled 01 GT pushing about 430-440 RWHP. I live in area where snow is commonplace in the winter, so I only get to drive the Mustang from Spring through Fall.

My current DD is a modified 2006 Mazdaspeed6 pushing about 290-300 WHP. So, I am also familiar with the direct injected turbo cars. So, as it comes time to replace my DD, I am looking for a fun car, that can be driven through the elements. I am interested in the ST, but FWD does concern me a bit. I put snow tires on my AWD Mazdaspeed6 and I can just go about through anything. I would put snow tires on the ST, but I am concerned that I may be taking a step back from AWD. I'd like to to get some input from those who drive their ST in the snow as to how it handles. Where I live we get lake effect snow and can really get dumped on in short period of time. Thanks in advance for you input. Below are pics of my cars for anyone that cares.

FWIW, I refused to get a rear wheel drive car for this specific reason. FWD or AWD makes the car more functional for me over the course of the year. So get the best snow tires you can afford and if you have any cash left, get a set of wheels to go with them. My experience with the ST is limited, but as far as snow/ice goes, FWD is the way to go unless weather is so bad that AWD is the only logical option. You might want to consider slightly narrower snow tires and of course smaller wheels so the tires can be taller. Overall, better traction on narrower tires in snow and smaller rims more likely to survive if the tires are taller.

FWIW, I refused to get a rear wheel drive car for this specific reason. FWD or AWD makes the car more functional for me over the course of the year. So get the best snow tires you can afford and if you have any cash left, get a set of wheels to go with them. My experience with the ST is limited, but as far as snow/ice goes, FWD is the way to go unless weather is so bad that AWD is the only logical option. You might want to consider slightly narrower snow tires and of course smaller wheels so the tires can be taller. Overall, better traction on narrower tires in snow and more rims more likely to survive if the tires are taller.

That's the dilemma for me. After owning an AWD car with a dedicated set of snow tires and rims, I am a little leery about anything that is not AWD as my DD. I have a few months to decide, so it's not like I have to rush this decision.

I love how my ST handles in the winter. There don't seem to be many people that hate it, in fact everyone loves it.
Search this forum for 'winter' and you'll find great discussions. There's even a member out there that thinks the ST handles better than their old Mazdaspeed 6.

I initially thought trading in my S40 T5 AWD for the ST was going to be a horrible decision because of the snow here in MA. And as bad as the snow has been, even with my stock Goodyear F1's, I've really only missed the AWD in the blizzard. And no amount of AWD or studded snow tires was going to help me with that. Once the F1's wear out, I'll be putting studded winter tires on for next year's winter and some 19" wheels for the summer. The difference in the level of handling from the AWD to FWD is night and day and is well worth the sacrifice of AWD.

I initially thought trading in my S40 T5 AWD for the ST was going to be a horrible decision because of the snow here in MA. And as bad as the snow has been, even with my stock Goodyear F1's, I've really only missed the AWD in the blizzard. And no amount of AWD or studded snow tires was going to help me with that. Once the F1's wear out, I'll be putting studded winter tires on for next year's winter and some 19" wheels for the summer. The difference in the level of handling from the AWD to FWD is night and day and is well worth the sacrifice of AWD.

It's good to hear that you didn't regret going from AWD to FWD. I am going to the auto show here next week, so I will check out the ST and see if there is anything else to consider. Maybe a WRX, but their redo looks to be delayed a year and do not want to invest in an aging platform.

As far as driving in the winter snow with the stock summer tires... goodluck because you are not getting anywhere without someone pushing!

Then I've had some really good luck this winter! I thought I'd have this problem but the road crews this year have done an amazing job (with the exception of the day of the blizzard) and I've not been stuck. Granted I'm not trying to drive through 6" of snow, but through the 1"-3" snowfalls we received, I haven't had any problems. This is my 24th winter behind the wheel of a car so I'm used to driving in this stuff. I'm sure the winter tires next year will help though.

Then I've had some really good luck this winter! I thought I'd have this problem but the road crews this year have done an amazing job (with the exception of the day of the blizzard) and I've not been stuck. Granted I'm not trying to drive through 6" of snow, but through the 1"-3" snowfalls we received, I haven't had any problems. This is my 24th winter behind the wheel of a car so I'm used to driving in this stuff. I'm sure the winter tires next year will help though.

You're still on the stock tires?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? You sir, have a death wish.

And to the OP, going from AWD to FWD (assuming same tires) you'll notice it a bit harder to get moving, especially if on a hill in bad conditions, but once moving there's not much difference. You still add power and counter-steer to get out of trouble and the ST is very, very easy to drive. I had no problem driving during and after the blizzard we got a couple weeks ago. As long as you don't high-center the car or stuff if into a snow bank, you'll be ok. Seems like you know already, but proper tires are a must.